By Jake Ferguson, Kim Bedwell and Amanda Frew
With temperatures warming up, and the official start of summer just around the corner, aren’t we all screaming for ice cream? With a variety of flavors and novelties, the beauty of ice cream is that there is a sweet option for everyone. Whether it’s a treat for the kids, an offering for guests at your backyard BBQ or a gourmet dessert concoction for a special meal, the possibilities with ice cream are endless.
Safeway’s Open Nature brand (client) just launched their brand new, super-premium ice cream line and we had to share our favorite flavors AND a spectacular recipe which includes peanut butter and bacon (yes, you read that correctly).
(Photo courtesy of Liza Gershman Photography)
Made from natural ingredients and nothing artificial, the full line features 23 flavors spanning super- premium ice cream, gelato, sorbet, Greek frozen yogurt and gelato bars. While it’s hard to pick favorites, here are a few of our must-buy recommendations:
(Jake): During a recent event held at the Safeway Culinary Kitchens in Pleasanton, we got the opportunity to try the delicious new offerings from Open Nature. My favorite was the Coconut Gelato. Deliciously creamy, full of tropical flavor and the perfect amount of shaved coconut flakes made this a real standout. Drizzle with some melted chocolate and sprinkle some sliced almonds and this is a sweet treat not to be missed!
(Kim): Only one favorite? Can’t do it. Therefore I choose to pick my favorite from each category. For super-premium ice cream my winner is … Salted Caramel Butter Pecan. I mean, how can you go wrong taking the hottest flavor trend (salted caramel) with an ice cream classic (butter pecan)? Yummmm! On to gelato where I have to go with the Pistachio Gelato. It’s always a go-to for me and this interpretation did not disappoint. Finally, in the sorbet category my favorite is the Prickly Pear. First, who knew that the flesh of prickly pear was pink? So cool to be introduced to a new flavor that was sweet, a bit tart and totally refreshing. While it’s delicious on its own, I prefer a small scoop of it in a glass of Prosecco. Prickly Pear Sorbet and bubbles … definitely the he perfect pair!
(Amanda): I have fallen head over heels for the Open Nature White Chocolate Raspberry Gelato. This dreamy indulgence has the sweet creamy flavor of white chocolate with a raspberry swirl that adds a bit of tang to cut through the richness. I had the opportunity to first taste this gelato at a sundae bar in the Safeway Culinary Kitchens (so cool, right?!), but it was simply so delicious on its own that I didn’t reach for any of the dozens of toppings at my disposal that day. I truly think the recipe for the perfect Open Nature White Chocolate Raspberry Gelato sundae involves two things: a bowl and a spoon. And really, the bowl is optional.
Luckily, the gourmet pints of the super-premium ice cream come at an affordable price range from $2.99 to $3.99 and the gelato bars are $4.99. They’re widely available at Safeway locations across the Sacramento region. For the location nearest you, check out the Store Locator here.
(Photos Courtesy Liza Gershman Photography)
Looking for a fabulously sweet treat? Check out this spectacular recipe courtesy of Safeway’s Executive Chef Jeff Anderson. Enjoy!
Open Nature Brown Sugar Bacon Parfait
Prep time: 10-15 minutes
Serves: 2
Parfait Ingredients
8 ounce scoop Open Nature Vanilla Ice Cream
4 tablespoons Open Nature Honey Nut Granola (optional)
4 tablespoons Open Nature Peanut Butter “Crunchy”
4 tablespoons Brown Sugar Bacon Crumbles
2 sprigs fresh mint
1 teaspoon powdered sugar
Parfait Directions
Place 1 ounce scoops of Open Nature Vanilla Ice Cream with granola and peanut butter, warm bacon slightly and add in as a layer. Repeat layers and finish with mint leaf and powdered sugar.
Brown Sugar Bacon Ingredients
6 slices Open Nature Applewood Bacon
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2-3 large pinch fresh ground black pepper
Brown Sugar Bacon Directions
Preheat oven to 450°F. Lay the strips of bacon onto "crinkled" aluminum foil sheet. Sprinkle brown sugar and black pepper onto each strip. Bake for 6-8 minutes and then check for doneness. The bacon should take 10-12 minutes to get crispy.
Once done, remove from oven, cool slightly and enjoy.
Helen Purser says
Can I buy the Prickly Pear Sorbet in New Mexico? We don’t have a Safeway.
Gabby Goyette says
Hi, Helen! It looks like there are a few Safeways in New Mexico you could check with. Here is a link to the Safeway Store Locator. Hope this helps!
sharon says
salted caramel butter pecan is hard to find. don’t see it anymore in the stores